Tamperproof valve cap



May 20, 1952 E. A. TEEPELL TAMPER-PROOF VALVE CAP Filed June 17, 1947Patented May 20, 1952 OFFICE TAMPERPROOF VALVE CAP Edward A. Teepell,Philadelphia, Pa.

Application June 17, 1947, Serial No. 755,047

Claims. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in tire valvecaps, and more particularly to tire valve caps which are constructed toprevent theft of the caps from the valve stems of tires.

For many years the caps upon the valve stems of tires of automobiles,bicycles and the like have constituted an attractive nuisance tojuvenile pranksters and others who derive great satisfaction fromappropriating such caps to their own use and, in some cases, causing theair to escape from the tires after removing the caps. This latter is aparticular nuisance and can cause a motorist considerable delay and lossof time as well as unnecessary expense.

With the foregoing in mind, the principal object of the presentinvention is to provide a valve cap which embodies novel features ofconstruction and arrangement normally operable to prevent theft of thecap from a valve stem by an unauthorized person.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel valve cap as setforth which is attractive in appearance and is constructed in a mannerand design to harmonize with present day vehicle styles.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel valvecap device having the features and advantages set forth which is ofrelatively simplified construction, comparatively inexpensive tomanufacture, and entirely effective and foolproof in operation and use.

These and other objects of the invention and the various features anddetails of the construction and operation of the device are hereinafterfully set forth and described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view through a valve cap made according to thepresent invention showin the same in position upon the valve stem of atire.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view partially in section showingthe valve cap upon the stem of a tire mounted on the wheel of anautomobile.

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of a clamp member which is adapted to beused in securing the cap upon a valve stem and in removing the captherefrom.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional View taken on line 4-4, Fig. 1, showingthe manner in which the clamp operates to effect securement and removalof the valve cap.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through a modified form of device embodyingthe present invention; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view partially in section showingthe valve cap of Fig. 5 in association with the stem of a tire mountedupon a wheel equipped with the metallic white side wall rims currentlyin vogue.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, atypical embodiment of a valve cap made according to the presentinvention comprises an inner cap I which is internally threaded asindicated at 2 for threading engagement with the threaded neck portion 3of the usual valve stem 4. The cap I is provided with the usual seal 5to prevent leakage of air from the stem when the inner cap I is securedthereon in the relation shown.

As shown in the drawing, the inner cap I is provided at its lower endwith a radially projecting flange or shoulder portion 6 upon which seatsthe internal flange portion 1 that is formed at the upper end of atubular skirt member 8. This tubular skirt member 8 is slightly tapereda shown and is constructed and arranged to extend substantially theentire distance to the rim 9 of the wheel and thereby conceal the valvestem 4. It is to be noted that the skirt member 8 is not fixed orsecured to the inner cap I and hence is free to rotate relative theretoand to the valve stem-4.

An outer cap member ID, of inverted generally U-shape in cross-section,overlies the inner cap I and extends downwardly entirely to the upperend of the skirt 8. The outer cap I0 is secured upon the inner cap Iby'means of an annular bear or projecting portion II which is engaged ina circumferential groove or recess [2 that is formed in the exterior ofthe inner cap I a short distance above the flange or shoulder 1 thereof.This construction serves to secure the outer cap [0 against axial orlongitudinal displacement from the inner cap l, and also permits theouter cap [0 to rotate substantially freely with respect to said innercap I. The head ll may be formed by leaving an external bead of metalexteriorly of the outer cap l0 and then upsetting or otherwise forcingit into the recess I2 after the said outer cap has been placed inposition upon the inner cap I.

While there is sufilcient clearance between the inner and outer caps land [0 to permit of substantially free rotation therebetween, the fit ofthe outer cap upon the inner cap is relatively snug and the clearancetherebetween is sufficiently close, for example, of the order of 0.002inch, so that the outer cap I!) can be caused to engage or bind againstthe inner cap I by radially distorting said outer cap out-of-round onlya relatively small amount. In this connection it is pointed out that theouter cap member I is constructed of material such as metal having alimited amount of inherent flexibility, and the wall of the cap isrelatively thin so that it can be distorted out-of-round temporarilyupon the application of substantial pressure exerted radiallythereagainst.

Radial. distortion of, the. outer cap ill to cause it to bind againstthe inner cap I and thereby prevent relative rotation between said capsso that the inner cap may be unscrewed from the valve stem neck 3 byrotation of the outer cap I0, may be accomplished by means of ,a clamp-element which is adapted to be forced manually onto the said outer capIll. As shown: in Figdii, such a clamp may comprise a cup-shapedmemr berI3 having a cross-sectional configuration which may be just slightlyout-of-round or substantially'an' elipse-whose short-axis is of 'alength just slightly less than the normal diameter of the' outer cap I0and whose -long axis is' just slightlygreater than the'normal diameterof said cap I0. To facilitatelhandling,the-clampmem'- ber-l3 may be=knurled externally as indicated In --operation-,' when the clamp member-I I 3" is forcedmanually onto the' outer cap lllg the-latter isdistorted out-of-round, for: example, illustratedi'n-Fi'g. 4 of'thedrawin'g, thus causingsaid outer 'cap to bind against'theinner cap lwith sufficient grip-to prevent relative rotation between" the caps sothat the inner cap I can be screwed upon, or unscrewed-from;the -stemneck-3 byrotationally actuatingrthe outercap I 0 "through I rotationof-th'e clamp member Iii-thereon. -When secured in-position up0n=thevalve stem =4 with the-clamp I3='-removed=,"the-outer cap Ill and theskirt B are-both rotatable relative to the inner cap *I so 'that saidinner cap I cannot be removed from the stem neck -3' merel-y byrotatingeither the-oute1=capl0 orth'e skirt 8"with'out the aidof theclamp-member 13 or an equivalent-device,

Orr-the other hand; by using the clamp I3 as described, the inner cap Imay-be unscrewed readily I and easily fromthemeck 3 and removed entirelyfrom the stem 4 along with the outercap w-and skirt 8;"

A modified -form of the inventionis shown-in Figs: 5 and 6' of thedrawing which is I especially suitabl'e fo'r use-inconjunction with thedecorative white side wall rims I5 that are used extensivelyat-the=presenttime. In thisform of the invention the skirt8a is adaptedto remain upon the valve stemwvhemthe cap is 'removed-'and, to thisend-, the lower-endof theskirt 8a is provided with an cut -turnedcircumferential flange orlip I 6 Whi'chis*arrangedto underlie the=edge-portion of the-whiteside rim' I 5 thatsurrounds the openingthrough which the-tire stem'projects.

Also, in thisembodiment of the invention, the: previously'describedflange-or shoulder portion "6' and'recess 'I2-=of"the inner'cap I arenot present in-- the-inner cap member Ia' shown in- Fig; 5'

tudinal displacement with respect to each other while at the same timepermitting the said caps to rotate substantially freely relative to oneanother. In all other respects the construction of the inner and outercaps Ia and I 011 are the same, respectively, as the inner and outercaps I and Ill, and the operation thereof in conjunction with the clampI3 is identical to the operation described with respect to:theembodiment .of the invention shown in Fig. 1.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present inventionprovides a novel valve stem cap-construction which is operable normallyto prevent theft of the cap from a valve stem by unauthorized persons.The invention also provides a-novelcap device as set forth which is neatand attractive in appearance, and is constructed-in-=a manner and designto harmonize with present day vehicle styles. Furthermore,the-invention:- provides :a novel; cap device having the :described:features and. advantages which .is of: relativelysimplified-construction; comparative-..

lyrinexpensive to manufacture, and :entirelyeffective and foolproof inuse and operation...

While-certain embodiments of the. invention have been -illustra-ted.iand described herein, it is I not rintended to. limit the invention-:to such. disclosures; and changesand modifications maybemadezthereincand-thereto withinthe scope o1v .the following-claims.

I claim:

1. Inrawvalve-stemrcap device, an internally threaded inner cap memberarranged for threaded engagement with awalve-stem'andwhavingin the 1external 5 wall. thereof a circumferentially I extending-a recess;a-continuous circumferential fiange projecting. outwardlynfrom thelinnerend:

of'ssaidinner'cap member, an outer cap memberrotatably mounted upon saidinner cap member and having an internal beadprojectinginto the recess ofi said inner cap member operable to secure-said .outer cap. memberagainst axial displacement-with respectzto-the inner-cap member while;.permitting substantially free rotation of said cap members relative toeach other, said outer capmember closelysurrounding said inner capmember and' 'being distortable radially to thereby grip the inner capmember and cause rotation of: said outer'cap to be imparted to saidinner cap.

2. In avalve stem cap device, an internally threaded inner cap memberarranged for threaded-engagementwith the neck' portion of a valve stem,.acontinuous circumferential flange projecting-outwardly front the innerend of said inner cap member, an outer cap member rotatably mountedonsaid inner cap member, intercooperating means :on said. cap. membersoperable to secure said. outer cap. member against axial displacementwith respect to the inner cap member while permitting substantially freerotation of said cap members relative to'each other, said outercapmemberclosely surrounding said inner cap member and being distortableradially to thereby gripv theinner cap member and cause rotation of.said. outer cap tov be imparted'to said inneitcap, and a. tapered skirt.member surrounding the valve stem and having a portion looselyinterposed betweenthe flange of the inner cap member and the inner endof the said outer cap member,- the: cap members being rotatableindependently of said skirt member.

3;; In a valve stem cap device, an internally threaded inner capmember-arranged forthreaded engagement with the neck of a valve stem,2..

continuous circumferential flange projecting outwardly from the innerend of said inner cap member, an outer cap member rotatably mounted uponsaid inner cap member, intercooperating means on said cap membersoperable to secure said outer cap member against axial displacement withrespect to the inner cap member while permitting substantially freerotation of said cap members relative to each other, said outer capmember closely surrounding said inner cap member and being distortableradially to thereby grip the inner cap member and cause rotation of saidouter cap to be imparted to said inner cap. and a tapered skirt membersurrounding the valve stem having an inturned flange loosely engagedover the outwardly projecting flange of said inner cap member andinterposed between the latter and the inner end of the said outer capmember.

4. In a valve stem cap device, an internally threaded inner cap memberarranged for threaded engagement with a valve stem and having in theexternal wall thereof a circumferentially ex tending recess, an outercap member rotatably mounted upon said inner cap member and hav-- ingmeans projecting into the recess of said inner cap member operable tosecure said outer cap member against axial displacement with respect tothe inner cap member while permitting substantially free rotation ofsaid cap members relative to each other, said outer cap member closelysurrounding said inner cap member and being distortable radially tothereby grip the inner cap member and cause rotation of said outer capto be imparted to said inner cap.

6 5. In a valve stem cap device, an internally threaded inner cap memberarranged for threaded engagement with the valve stem, an outer capmember rotatably mounted on said inner cap member, and means on one ofsaid cap members engageable within a recess extending circumferentiallyin the adjacent Wall of the other cap member to secure said outer capmember against axial displacement with respect to the inner cap memberwhile permitting substantially free rotation of said cap membersrelative to each other, said outer cap member closely surrounding saidinner cap member and being distortable radially to thereby grip theinner cap member and cause rotation of said outer cap member to beimparted to said inner cap member.

EDWARD A. TEEPEIL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,229,928 Frazer June 12, 19171,309,215 Nielsen July 8, 1919 1,702,532 Boomer et a1. Feb. 19, 19291,767,884 Heinrich June 24, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date12,943 Great Britain 1911

